Day 1 at Acadia: A Little Rain, a Lot of Heart

The skies may have opened up this afternoon, but the rain didn’t stand a chance against the joy and energy of our Acadia crew. There are 33 incredible human souls gathered here this week to celebrate five beautiful years of STEAM in the PARK—and five years of learning, laughing, and growing together at Acadia National Park.

We kicked things off with some spirited group sessions, learning names, sharing stories, and beginning to build the kind of community that makes this program so special. Dinner? Absolutely over-the-top delicious—Chef Dani and her amazing team served up creamy garlic shrimp and chicken over angel hair pasta with sautéed zucchini and summer squash, garlic bread, and warm brownies that made everything feel a little brighter and a little cozier.

While much of the country is baking in heatwaves, we were wrapped in coastal mist and a cool 65 degrees. Honestly, it’s hard to beat. The rain couldn’t stop our Birds of a Feather activity, where laughter echoed and new friendships began to take flight.

One of the most heartwarming moments of the night? Rallying together to welcome Charlee—our newest camper—who made it after a long travel saga of flight delays and reroutes, finally arriving at 8:30 PM to cheers and open arms. She’s already part of the family.

Tomorrow promises a full day of discovery—sound mapping, carbon sequestration, Acadia mapping, art, and a special showing of Out There: A National Parks Story. Even more exciting? We’ll be joined by Ranger Gary himself—a key figure in the film and a friend to so many of us.

Rain or shine, we’re here. We’re together. And we’re just getting started.